07/23/2015 - Isabelle Clara Janis

        Funeral Services for 88-year old Isabelle Clara Janis of Manderson will be Thursday  (July 23) morning at 10:00 at the Wounded Knee District School in Manderson, SD, with Father Peter Klink officiating and traditional Lakota services led by Mr Richard Broken Nose.

      Burial will be at the Benjamin Janis Family Cemetery in Manderson.  A one night wake services will start at 3:00 PM, Wednesday (July 22) at the Wounded Knee District School in Manderson.

      Isabelle Clara (Clifford) Janis was born August 22, 1926 at her parents' home at North Route, Kyle, SD by the river, to John (Big Foot John) Clifford and Emma (Reynolds) Clifford.  She attended elementary and high school at Holy Rosary & St. Francis Mission.

      Isabelle worked at the munitions depot in Igloo, SD, where she met Benjamin Janis ,who was on military leave.  They were married shortly after and enjoyed 52 years of marriage together. 

     Isabelle and Benjamin moved to Manderson where Isabelle worked at the Manderson Day School as cook and supervisor for 32 years before she retired. 

       After retiring from the school, she worked as a nutrition educator for the South Dakota Extension Program - traveling the reservation and helping many families learn to cook using foods available through the commodity program. 

      Isabelle loved to laugh, smile, visit with friends, and spend time with her children and many grandchildren.  She cared deeply for her community and always had a kind word for everyone. 

      Isabelle is survived by her Children:  Benjamin W. Janis of Fort Meade, SD, Kathleen Hayes of Albuquerque, NM, Delores (George) Starr, Rosalie Janis, Lawrence (Liz) Janis, and Ted (Brenda) Janis all of Manderson, SD, Janice (Fernando) Roman of Kinnear, WY, Linda (Gordy) Janis of Flandreau, SD, and Terry (Olivia) Janis of Mahnomen, MN.

      She is also survived by 27 grandchildren, 68 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren as well as numerous godchildren, nieces, nephews, and other family members.

      Isabelle was preceded in death by her husband Benjamin; parents John M. Clifford and Emma Clifford; brothers Clarence and Vincent; sisters Dora, Hannah, Alvina, Martha, Pearl, Francis, Matilda, Regina, and Helen; grandson Theodore Louis Janis; and son-in-law Patrick A. Hayes.

      Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of  arrangements for Isabelle Clara Janis.